Russia batters Ukraine as both sides say they are ready for more talks

Local militiaman Valery, 37, carries a child as he helps a fleeing family across a bridge destroyed by artillery, on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, on Wednesday, March 2 2022 (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Russia renewed its assault on Ukraine’s second-largest city in a pounding that lit up the skyline with balls of fire over populated areas, even as both sides said they were ready to resume talks aimed at stopping the new devastating war in Europe.

The escalation of attacks on crowded cities on Wednesday followed an initial round of talks between outgunned Ukraine and nuclear power Russia which resulted in only a promise to meet again.